Cool MateEverything vs The whole nine yards
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Everything
Top 1,000 (very common)A1pronoun
The whole nine yards
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: EverythingMost common: Everything
| Everything | The whole nine yards | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈevriθɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈevriθɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə həʊl naɪn jɑːdz//🇺🇸 //ðə hoʊl naɪn jɑrdz// |
| Meaning | all things; all that exists | Everything possible; all of something. |
| Example | Everything had gone. | She planned the party and went the whole nine yards with decorations and food. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | pronoun | |
| Collocations | everything is fine, everything changes, everything you need, everything will be okay | go the whole nine yards, the whole nine yards of effort, take the whole nine yards |
| Antonyms | nothing | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Everythings' as a plural form, Using 'everything' with uncountable nouns incorrectly, Confused with 'all' or 'everyone' | Confused with similar phrases like 'the whole kit and caboodle'., Used in contexts where it's inappropriate or unclear., Misused as a literal phrase instead of an idiom. |
| Usage notes | Use 'everything' in general contexts. It's suitable for conversations, written texts, and all registers, but avoid formal academic writing where specificity is required. | Used to emphasize that something is done completely or thoroughly. More common in spoken English and informal writing. Should be avoided in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Everything vs The whole nine yards
What's the difference between Everything and The whole nine yards?
Everything: all things; all that exists The whole nine yards: Everything possible; all of something.
Which is more formal: Everything and The whole nine yards?
Everything is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Everything and The whole nine yards?
Everything is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Everything: Everything had gone. The whole nine yards: She planned the party and went the whole nine yards with decorations and food.
Can I use Everything and The whole nine yards interchangeably?
Not always. Everything and The whole nine yards are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.